What would you like to know?

[velogirl]

Hi everybody! I've been asked to present at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs later this month as part of a conference dedicated to leadership in women's cycling. The topic that was given to me (which I could change if I want) is "Creating a Meaningful Women's Cycling Program" and I've got about 90 minutes to entertain and enlighten the conference attendees (most of whom will be coaches or women racers).

I've been asked this question (how to start a women's program) a million times via email and phone. In addition to Velo Girls, which I founded in 2002, I've helped lots of other folks start women's programs all over the world.

So, let me throw this question out there. Many of you have said "gee I wish we had a program like there where I live." What, specifically, would you like to know?

All input would be appreciated. I'm developing my presentation later this week and next and since I can't contact participants directly, I thought the lovely ladies of TE could provide some meaningful feedback.

Let's hear it!

Lorri

[Eden]

How to best encourage promotors to offer a good range of women's fields. I think its a build it and they will come type of situation. The participation of women in racing has gone up a lot around here and I don't think that we have a women's 4 field in most of our races is an inconsequential part of that. We are now working on getting more 3's fields so that we can *keep* women participating and so far a few promotors have really stepped up. I think it will make a big difference in keeping women interested (rather than frustrated with) in racing.

[velogirl]

dang! Eden, if I could convince promoters to do that here I'd be happy......we're still fighting with some folks for separate W4 fields and we fill them up all the time! but you did get me thinking.....thank you!

[SheFly]

I second Eden's comment about the promoters!

The other challenge is to teach new women skills, and to maintain contact with them through the season to ensure they have picked those up, and are progressing. Kind of like a mentorship program. One of the things our club realized last year is that learning from an experienced FEMALE racer/rider builds more confidence and self-esteem.

The skills are importatnt though - those squirrelly women who come out to race because their BF or DH is racing are dangerous!

SheFly

[velogirl]

Thanks, Cathy!

Okay, Eden and SheFly are both from very successful women's programs.

How about some of you who would like to have a women's program in your region but there isn't one? Have you wished there was a women's cycling club, race series, or other programs or clinics just for women? Would you like to start a program of your own but don't know where to begin? Have you tried to start a program but couldn't sustain it? What kind of information would be useful to you? What would inspire you to jump in and make something happen?

[smilingcat]

I would like to comment but I 'm out of the scene altogether. I know Helen's Cyclery have a women's squad. so does Paramount Racing down in Orange County and there is South Bay Wheelmen. Oh and Tailwind up in SB area. Maybe you can talk to some of th women there??

Smilingcat

[velogirl]

I guess I'm not good at asking the right question. I'll try again. I'm well-versed in the successful women's programs in the country and I'm not interested in finding out more about them at this point. I was chair of the Yoplait Women's Grassroots Project and in 2003 I compiled some fabulous data from 100+ different clubs and programs in the US. I've got lots of data about good programs.



I'd like to hear from the women who don't have a women's program available. What would you like to know about developing a woman's program?

Or maybe I'll just change my topic to something more exciting like how to color coordinate your bike, kit, and helmet?

[velogirl]

I would like to comment but I 'm out of the scene altogether. I know Helen's Cyclery have a women's squad. so does Paramount Racing down in Orange County and there is South Bay Wheelmen. Oh and Tailwind up in SB area. Maybe you can talk to some of th women there??

Smilingcat

And Smilingcat, you don't appear to be out of the scene. All comers/comments welcome.

[salsabike]

So here's a voice from the 54-year-old, non-racer type rider. I would LOVE to have a women's cycling organization here that offers how-to-ride-better clinics, training, women's rides. I would want to know how such an organization gets started and the history of its development---how it begins, how it's promoted and sustained over time. I am not even vaguely qualified to be the one who starts it, however, and don't honestly know how that would occur. But I would sure support it and be part of it. I have hesitated to post here because I am not sure that's useful enough info for you. Best I can do, though...and thanks for asking.

[velogirl]

SalsaBike, thank you! That's perfect and you're totally qualified to comment. Heck! If someone told me 10 years ago that I would start a women's cycling organization I would've laughed (and then probably lit up another cigarette).

[GLC1968]

The other challenge is to teach new women skills, and to maintain contact with them through the season to ensure they have picked those up, and are progressing. Kind of like a mentorship program. One of the things our club realized last year is that learning from an experienced FEMALE racer/rider builds more confidence and self-esteem.

Ok, how about from me? I'm not a racer, and I've only seen 1 women's race in real life (CAT4 crit - about 20 women raced that day). I'm one of those that would LOVE a women's group in my area for the above reason I quoted from SheFly. I know that I'd love racing. I can be fast, I'm strong, I'm very competitve...but I'm almost 40, generally shy and super intimidated by the crazy male cycling community around me (which is HUGE). If we had a women's group that had a program for riders who wanted to race, I'd be way less intimidated.

I think skills would absolutely help...and not just for racing. Skills for group riding, for general road and moutain riding, for climbing in the mountains an hour from here, etc.

To do that locally, like Salsa, I'd want to know how to start something like that in our local area and how to effectively get the word out. I think it would be also important to know how to keep all levels interested. I see it often here, but we have one women's group ride locally. In the spring, we have a mix of skills...but as the season wears on, only the slowest riders continue to show up for this ride. My guess is that the better riders split off to find their own groups to ride with, but that makes it really hard for a good rider to enjoy the group later in the season. Information on how to effectively keep all levels interested (and informed) would be helpful.

And then, from someone who has NO experience with racing, I'd need to know how do you secure sponsors, how to you drum up interest from non-riders, how to do put an effective 'season' together (scheduling tips) and lastly, probably how to throw/host an event?

Did I ramble on too much?

[velogirl]

GLC, that's perfect! I'm a big rambler. Rambling is highly encouraged.

Thank you!

[velogirl]

GLC made me think of another question.

If you have "something" for women in your area, what are your frustrations?

What would you do differently?

I guess that's two questions.

[snowtulip]

I am another non-racer in the traditional sense. We do have a WOMBATS group here and admitedly I've never done anything with them because of the many negative experiences that people I know have had with them. Apparenlty newbies are ditched on rides and there is a good amount of bashing other riders on the trail. Could all be heresay, but enough to discourage me.

I would love to have an open environment for all levels of rider. I primarily mountain bike ride, but having a group that is open to all types of riding is also great. I think mentorship is a great thing! As well as comraderie for trail maintenance activities, etc. Having the opportunity to share riding with young girls that might not have the opporutnity or are in financial distress and need a bike and role model. How to clinics are great!

We have an adventure race club and I really like that they offer opportunities for training, opportunities for learning or enhaning a skill, and opportunities to provide open feedback on the needs of the members to keep evolving.

[velogirl]

snowtulip! thank you for your great comments.